Jonathan Vilma files motion to expedite restraining order against NFL

In an attempt to be cleared to participate in training camp with the New Orleans Saints,Jonathan Vilma filed a motion to expedite his requested temporary restraining order against the NFL Monday in the Eastern District Court of Louisiana.

(AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma arrives at the National Football League's headquarters, Monday, June 18, 2012 in New York. Vilma and three other players are appealing their suspensions for their role in the Saints bounty program.

In the motion, Vilma requests a hearing on Thursday or as soon as the court's schedule allows. Saints training camp begins on July 24.

The motion, written by Vilma's attorney, Peter Ginsberg, says "Vilma will suffer real, immediate and irreparable injury in the absence of the injunctive relief sought."

"The NFL's decision to bar Vilma from participating in the 2012 season, attending team and individual meetings, training at the Saints' practice facility ... and collecting his salary will cause Vilma not only to lose his annual salary but also to miss one of the most competitive seasons of his short professional career," Ginsberg says in the motion. "There is no opportunity to 'make up' this lost time. Vilma will simply never have the ability to participate in these lost games and practices again."

Vilma is serving a yearlong suspension levied by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, following the league's determination that he played a leading role in a Saints pay-for-performance bounty program. The punishment was upheld in an appeals hearing held by Goodell on July 3.

Vilma also has a defamation case pending against the Goodell, which has been consolidated with a complaint filed by the NFL Players Association on behalf of three other suspended current and former Saints players: Will Smith, Anthony Hargrove of the Green Bay Packers and Scott Fujita of the Cleveland Browns.

A settlement conference for the three parties involved in the consolidated file is scheduled for July 23 in front of Magistrate Judge Daniel Knowles.

The NFL Management Council filed a grievance against the NFLPA and Vilma in an attempt to force him from moving forward with his defamation claim, alleging that the league's collective bargaining agreement does not allow the suit. A response from the NFLPA was due on Friday, 10 days after the NFLMC filed their grievance on July 3.

The NFLPA has not responded to inquiries as to whether it sent a response to the grievance on Friday. The NFL declined comment.